Officials alerted Twitter to the alleged Saudi mole in late 2015, prompting the company to investigate, according to the Times report, which cited anonymous sources. Though Twitter couldn't find evidence the employee gave user data to the Saudis, it fired the worker in December 2015, the Times said. The same month, according to the paper, Twitter also alerted the owners of a few dozen accounts that they may have been targeted.

The Times report takes a broad look at alleged Saudi government efforts to silence dissidents on Twitter. Among other things, the Saudis have reportedly used paid troll armies to harass, threaten and shout down people who disapprove of the government, and to distract other users from discussions critical of the government.